April 20, 2010

The North Pullman area, Prentice Women's Hospital, the Uptown Theatre and the St. Laurence Church complex are the four Chicago-area properties on the Landmarks Illinois' list of the state's ten most endangered historic sites. The list was just announced in Springfield.

Here is a full report from the Tribune's Cynthia Dizikes. And here is the news release from Landmarks Illinois:

Tuesday, April 20, 2010, Springfield, Ill.— A list of the state’s ten most threatened historic sites was announced today at a press conference at the state capitol in Springfield.

Four Chicago area properties made the list: the North Pullman neighborhood; Prentice Women’s Hospital, 333 E. Superior St.; the St. Laurence Church complex, 7148 S. Dorchester Ave.; and the Uptown Theatre, 4861 N. Broadway.

Now in its 16th year, the statewide endangered list calls attention to historic resources in dire need of assistance in the form of responsible stewardship, critical funding, or creative reuse plans. This year, a number of the sites listed have fallen victim to the poor economic climate, which has resulted in property foreclosures and restrictions in available financing.

North Pullman

Although protected by local landmark designation, the northeast corner of the Pullman Historic District has been struggling for several years with property vacancies and, more recently, serious disinvestment. Many of the original 1880s workers’ housing units along the 10400- and 10500- blocks of South Corliss and Maryland avenues are owned by absentee landlords and are poorly maintained. This four-block area, which includes 87 properties, has been identified as the most troubled portion of the neighborhood, since 25% of the properties are already in foreclosure. A non- profit community development group was recently established to replace the now-defunct Park Bank Initiative, but most of its reinvestment projects will be focused on properties south of 106th Street.

“The north end of the Pullman Historic District is just as important historically and architecturally as the south end,” said Jim Peters, president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois. “Unfortunately, the historic worker’s housing units in the district’s northeast corner have been suffering in recent years.”

Prentice Women’s Hospital

This Bertrand Goldberg-designed hospital has been largely vacant since Northwestern Memorial relocated its Women’s Hospital to a new structure in 2007. Ownership is expected to revert back to Northwestern University this year, when the last tenant moves out of the building. This concrete clover-leafed structure, which was built in 1975, would then likely be demolished for a new medical research facility.

“We are trying to encourage the hospital to incorporate this building into their future plans,” said Peters. “It is a one-of-a-kind structure, and a very important design from a world-famous architect.”

Although Goldberg’s organic architectural designs – such as this one – were widely influential, none of his

Chicago works are protected by local landmark designation. This is the second consecutive year the hospital has been on the “Ten Most” list.

St. Laurence Complex

This collection of buildings is one of Chicago’s most intact and impressive early-20th century religious complexes. The church and rectory, designed by architect Joseph Molitor, were completed in 1911. The adjacent two-story parish house and neighboring school were built approximately 30 years later. All four buildings were sold by the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago in 2005 to Eden Supportive Living for reuse as senior housing.

An initial proposal for the site – which called for reuse of just the school building – was approved by city officials, but rejected by the community. Since then, the church has suffered water damage from burst pipes over two winters. Conversations with city officials have confirmed that the local alderman is now supportive of wholesale demolition of the site.

“This is an amazing group of buildings that you cannot fully appreciate until you see them in person. We just need to find someone who can find a way to reuse them.” said Peters.

Uptown Theatre

First listed on Landmarks Illinois’ Ten Most Endangered List in 1996, and then again in 2001, the 1925 Uptown Theater remains vacant, deteriorating, and without an active restoration project. It has been on the National Register since 1986 and a Chicago Landmark since 1991. The City of Chicago and a dedicated group of volunteers have diligently protected the theatre through nearly three decades of absentee ownership and disinterested management.

“Without the work of a small group of dedicated volunteers, this building would have been long gone,” said Peters. “Now we have a chance for their hard work to pay off.”

In 2008, a new owner purchased the theatre and has plans to restore it as a live performance venue. However, the recent economic climate has made it difficult to secure the $40 million required to restore and reuse the building.

Background

Since the inception of Landmarks Illinois’ “Ten Most” list in 1995, 42 sites have been saved, 34 have been demolished or substantially altered, and 90 remain threatened to some degree. Today’s announcement also kicks off the start of National Preservation Month in May.

Other properties on this years list are: an 1890s mansion near a college campus (Bass-Mollett House, Greenville), key buildings on a closed 2,000-acre Air Force Base (Chanute Headquarters and Mess Hall, Rantoul), a statewide program that has benefitted downtowns for more than 15 years (Illinois Main Street Program), an 1850s farmstead along historic Route 66 (Manske-Niemann Farm, Litchfield), a 1930s Art Deco theater (Massac Theater, Metropolis), and a former home of John Deere (Red Cliff, Moline). Landmarks Illinois is celebrating its 39th year as a statewide advocacy and education organization. The not-for-profit works with citizens and communities throughout Illinois to preserve, protect and promote historic places through advocacy and education. In addition to the Ten Most Endangered list, the organization also sponsors the Chicagoland Watch List and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards.

Posted at 11:26:24 AM

Comments

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It looks like the landmark loons have gotten some common sense & there isn't anything truly ridiculous on the list, except the St. Laurence complex is one of a dime-a-dozen churches with a cookie cutter design from the early 1900s.
I looked at photos of it on Flickr & saw nothing special there. I've seen numerous churches that look almost the same as this one. The same for the school & rectory. Plus, its stained glass windows have been removed to a newer church in Orland Park.

As for Prentice Hospital, ask Abra Prentice-Wilkin if she wants it saved, it was her family's money that paid for a lot of it. If she says no, then that pretty much says it all! I seriously doubt that Northwestern Hospital could fit a modern research facility into the round pods. Far too much wasted space as the equipment will be rectangular. The only buildings that come close to this design currently are prisons & there's not a chance in hell of that happening here!
And I fail to see that Bert Goldberg was that influential, as there aren't many round buildings put up since the four he designed here in the 1960s & 70s [Marina City, Hilliard Homes, River City & Prentice]. While a round building encloses the most space at the least cost, it makes the interior design & finishes a nightmare. While it looks great from the outside, the pie shaped rooms of Marina City are horrible, as is the original interior design by Goldberg's wife.

I saw a lot of movies at the Uptown in the 60s & yes, it was magnificent. $40 million however is just the start, without parking, I fail to see how anyone could make a go of it outside of downtown. The city tore down its three level lot just east of there a few years ago. Public transportation there is atrocious!

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